Sleep monitoring system

ABSTRACT

A method comprising monitoring a user&#39;s movements and determining when the user is falling asleep into a sleep session. The method further comprising identifying the sleep session as a power nap or a longer sleep, and waking up the user at a predetermined time, based on a combination of user preferences and measured information regarding the sleep session.

RELATED APPLICATION

The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional ApplicationSer. No. 61/507,567, filed on Jul. 13, 2011.

FIELD

The present invention is related to motion sensing, and moreparticularly to monitoring a user's motions to improve rest.

BACKGROUND

As accelerometers and other motion sensors are becoming cheaper andsmaller. There are numerous systems available, which enable a user tomonitor his or her motions, whether in activity or sleep.

For example, there are pedometers or other activity monitors that tracka user's activities to improve health. There are also some sleepmonitors, which use accelerometers.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The present invention is illustrated by way of example, and not by wayof limitation, in the figures of the accompanying drawings and in whichlike reference numerals refer to similar elements and in which:

FIGS. 1A-1G are embodiments of the system.

FIGS. 1H-1K are diagrams of embodiments of the user interface that maybe used with the monitoring device.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of one embodiment of the monitoring system inaccordance with the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart of one embodiment of sleep alerts.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of one embodiment of adjusting personal power napsettings.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart of one embodiment of setting an alarm.

FIG. 6 is a chart of one embodiment of conditions that may be used todifferentiate between types of sleep.

FIG. 7 is a hypnogram showing exemplary phases of sleep.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram of a computer system that may be used with thepresent invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A system that enables user sleep monitoring is described. In oneembodiment, the system enables the user to optimize their sleeppatterns. For example, users can take power naps. Power naps are shortnaps, usually 20-35 minutes, which are of the right length to refresh,without taking too much time, and without making the user sluggish uponwaking. In one embodiment, the system continually optimizes the lengthof a power nap for each individual based on analysis of previouslyobtained sleep and nap patterns and additional user information, whenavailable. For a power nap, the monitor worn by the user determines whenthe user is falling asleep, and wakes the user at the calculated timeinterval automatically. In one embodiment, during a power nap, thesystem continues monitoring changes of sleep phases, and wakes up thesubject before he or she crosses into non-REM sleep that would causesluggishness.

In one embodiment, the sleep monitoring enables the timing of wake-upalarms for a longer sleep as well, such as a night's sleep. In oneembodiment, the user defines a time window in which they want to wakeup.The device monitors sleep and finds the optimal time within that windowto wake up the user. In one embodiment, that optimal time is when theuser is transitioning from deep sleep to light sleep. In one embodiment,the user or the system specifies how many sleep cycles the user shouldsleep for. The system then wakes up the user after the specified numberof sleep cycles.

In one embodiment, the number of sleep cycles may also be modified by atime window. The user can specify that they want to sleep for a numbercycles, but they want to be woken up within a given time window nomatter what. For example, the user may specify that they want to sleepfor three sleep cycles, but wake up between 6 am and 8 am. If the userreaches the set number of sleep cycles before the time window, thesystem waits for another sleep cycle before sounding the alarm. If thesleep cycle count has not been reached by the end time of the alarm, thealarm will still go off within the time window.

In one embodiment, the monitor is implemented in a wristband. In oneembodiment, the monitor may be implemented by small device designed tobe worn on the body, on the wrist, arm, or elsewhere. In one embodiment,the implementation may be in an IPOD NANO® or similar small mobiledevice including sensors. Such a small mobile device may then be pairedwith an existing wristband, such as the band of a watch, bracelet,wristlet, wristband, etc. The small mobile device may similarly beattached to an armband, necklace, or other body-worn accessory. Inanother embodiment, the monitor may be implemented in a mobile devicethat is not worn on the body but placed on the sleeping surface, such asa bed. The user's movements may be monitored through the motions of thesleeping surface.

The following detailed description of embodiments of the invention makesreference to the accompanying drawings in which like references indicatesimilar elements, showing by way of illustration specific embodiments ofpracticing the invention. Description of these embodiments is insufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice theinvention. One skilled in the art understands that other embodiments maybe utilized and that logical, mechanical, electrical, functional andother changes may be made without departing from the scope of thepresent invention. The following detailed description is, therefore, notto be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present inventionis defined only by the appended claims.

FIGS. 1A-1F are embodiments of the system. Various embodiments of awristband or armband are shown. The embodiments include wristbandsdesigned to be worn like a watch (FIGS. 1A, 1B, 1C, 1D), armbands (FIG.1E), and devices that are designed to be attached to a bracelet or cheststrap or similar body location (FIG. 1F). The system shown here may beused as an activity monitor and a sleep monitor. In one embodiment, thesystem is designed to be worn continuously, as described in co-pendingapplication U.S. Ser. No. 12/819,195, filed Jun. 19, 2010, entitled “AMethod and Apparatus to Provide Monitoring” which is incorporated hereinby reference.

In one embodiment, the system may be a self-contained system, whichincludes a strap and the monitoring system. In another embodiment, thesystem may consist of a monitoring system that may be attached to anexisting strap. For example, in one embodiment, the system may beimplemented in a small mobile system such as an IPOD NANO® that isdesigned to be attached to a wristband, bracelet, chest strap, or evenpocket. In one embodiment, wristband/wrist watch/bracelet is preferredfor measuring accuracy.

In one embodiment, the interface of the system may include one or moreof: a full-sized USB connection (FIG. 1A), an audio jack connection(FIG. 1A), a micro-USB/mini-USB connection (FIG. 1C), a wirelessconnection which may be a cellular network connection or a WiFiconnection (FIG. 1B), a dock connector (FIG. 1E), a proximity connection(FIG. 1D), or any other type of connection to enable the system tocommunicate with external devices. In one embodiment, those externaldevices may include a computer device, a server, one or more sensors,which may be coupled to the system, or other connections. In oneembodiment, the processing described below may be partially performed bya server system 150 to which the sleep system is periodically coupled.This enables a low-processing power device to server as a motionsensor/sleep alarm.

In one embodiment, the sleep system may be coupled to a mobile device,such as a smart phone, which provides processing. The smart phone, inturn, may be coupled to a server via a network. In one embodiment, thebody-worn system is very simple, and only includes logic to provide userpreference selection and timer. In another embodiment, the system may bea mobile device, as shown in FIG. 1G.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of one embodiment of the monitoring system inaccordance with the present invention. In one embodiment, this systemmay be embodied within a body-worn device, designed to be worn by auser, in a mobile device, or another device including accelerometers andcapable of monitoring a user's movements. In another embodiment, thefunction described may be split between a body-worn system, a mobiledevice, and a server. For example, the statistical calculations and/oruser interface features may take place on a mobile device or a server.In another embodiment, the body-worn system works in conjunction with aserver, without a mobile device. In another embodiment, the system maybe embodied in a mobile device that is not worn by a user, but is amobile device that may be placed in close proximity to the user.

A motion identification logic 220 receives motion data. Motion data maybe received from an inertial sensor. In one embodiment, the inertialsensor may be one or more accelerometers, gyroscopes, or a combinationof accelerometers and gyroscopes. Alternative systems, which providemotion data, now known or later discovered, may also be utilized.

Motion identification logic 220 uses the motion data to identify a userfalling asleep, in one embodiment. The motions of wakefulness aredifferent from the motions of sleep. The motion identification logic 220identifies that the user has fallen asleep, in one embodiment. In oneembodiment, the motion data is also sent to motion data store 225. Inanother embodiment, the motion identification logic 220 may besupplemented by or replaced with the user interface 275, allowing theuser to indicate the initiation of a sleep session. In one embodiment,motion identification logic 220 can detect when the user is gettingtired, and a power nap or longer sleep would be useful. In oneembodiment, the system may suggest a power nap. In one embodiment, as auser is headed to sleep, the system suggests a sleep type, and a timingfor waking up the user. The user can then adjust any of these settingsor just keep the recommended settings. In one embodiment, some of thesesettings are fixed prior to going to sleep such as wake-up time range.In one embodiment, some settings are finalized after observing theuser's sleep patterns. For example, the wake-up alert timing isdependent on actual measured sleep.

In one embodiment, sleep identifier 230 determines whether the user'ssleep is a power nap, or another type of sleep. In one embodiment, powernaps are taken generally during the day, during the late morning orearly afternoon by most people. Sleep identifier 230 may rely on one ormore of data from a user interface 275, pattern recognizer 245, sleepstatistics 255, and timer system 250.

In one embodiment, user interface 275 enables a user to set the systemto “power nap” state. As shown in FIG. 1H, the setting may be as simpleas setting night or day, where daytime sleep is identified as a powernap. FIG. 1K shows a more detailed set of options, allowing a user toset sleep, activity, powernap, or workout. As noted above, in oneembodiment, the motion sensing system may be used as an activity monitorin addition to a sleep monitor. That aspect of the system is notdescribed in detail, as it is described in the above referencedco-pending application, which is incorporated by reference.

The user preference settings 240 may be used to identify sleep type, oran activation of a button may be used to indicate the initialization ofa power nap.

In one embodiment, the sleep identifier 230 may use a pattern recognizer245 to recognize that the sleep session should be identified as a powernap. The pattern recognizer uses the user's history of nap and sleeptiming, to determine whether the current sleep should be classified as apower nap.

The sleep identifier 230 may also use a timer system 250 to determinewhether the sleep session should be classified as a power nap. The timersystem may determine the time since the user's last full sleep and/orthe user's last power nap or standard nap to determine whether thecurrent sleep should be a power nap or not. In general, a user wouldsleep overnight every 15-18 hours. Thus, a sleep less than 12 hoursafter the last full sleep cycle may be classified as a power nap. Timersystem 250 may also use the current time of day to determine whether thesleep is a power nap. For example, most people take power naps between 1p.m. and 4 p.m. Thus, if the user is sleeping during those times, it maybe classified as a power nap. However, a user for example who is on thenight shift and usually sleeps their longer sleep cycle between 8 a.m.and 4 p.m. would likely take a power nap at 1 a.m. or a similar time ofday.

In one embodiment, external factor adjustor 260 may be used provide asuggestion to the user or may automatically set the sleep type, based onexternal factors. For example, if the user is headed to sleep and 2p.m., and the user has a 3:00 p.m. meeting on their calendar, thesuggestion system 265 suggests a 26.5 minute powernap (meaning 26.5minutes of actual sleep) with a hard deadline of waking up the user at2:45 p.m. so that the user will wake up in time for the meeting.

In one embodiment, the user may set preferences, including overridingthe sleep identifier's identification. In one embodiment, the system hasa rich user interface so user can double check the settings beforefalling asleep. For example, the system may provide a quiet indicator ofthe identified sleep type, enabling a user to override verbally, orthrough another user interface feature.

Of course, while these different aspects are described individuallyabove, in one embodiment a combination of these methods may be used toaccurately identify the sleep type. For example, the patterns mayutilize the time of day and the time since the last sleep/nap, while thetimer may utilize the sleep statistics 255 identifying the user's sleeppattern (e.g. someone on night shift has a different pattern thansomeone working the dayshift). In one embodiment, all of these settingsare customized for the user over time. In on embodiment, the system isinitially configured with default settings (e.g. sleep from 11 p.m. to 6a.m., power nap from 2 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.), and the user may adjust thesevia a user interface. The system may further learn based on userinput/experience. One embodiment, of the various power napidentifications are shown in FIG. 6.

When the power nap identifier identifies sleep as not being a power nap,the sleep alarm system timer 270 is consulted, if appropriate. If thereis an alarm set, in one embodiment, it is timed so that the user wakesup in the appropriate sleep cycle. It is known that someone is moretired if he or she wakes up from a deeper sleep, compared to waking upat N1 or early N2 sleep.

The user may define a time window for waking up, using the userinterface 275. The time window may, for example, state that the userwishes to wake up before 7:30 a.m. The motion identification logic 220then uses the motion data, to determine the user's sleep cycle, and thealarm 280 wakes the user up at the optimal time. In one embodiment, thatoptimal time is when they are transitioning from deep sleep to lightsleep.

In one embodiment, the user may define a number of sleep cycles he orshe would like to sleep for, through the user interface 275. A sleepcycle is generally between 90 minutes (first sleep cycle) and 120minutes (later sleep cycles). Therefore, the user may define a number ofsleep cycles, to determine when to wake the user, with the alarm 280. Inone embodiment, when the user defines the number of sleep cycles untilthe alarm, the system provides an estimated waking time to the user.

In one embodiment, the user may set a preferred number of sleep cycles,and add a time window mask so that the user can specify that they wantto be woken up within a given time window no matter what. For example,the user may set four sleep cycles, but set that regardless of thenumber of sleep cycles, the user must be woken up between 6 am and 8 am.If the user reaches the set number of sleep cycles before the timewindow, the system waits for another sleep cycle before sounding thealarm. If the sleep cycle count has not been reached by the end time ofthe time window mask, the alarm will go off.

If sleep identifier 230 identifies the sleep session as a power nap, thesleep timer 270 is activated. The sleep timer 270 is designed to soundan alarm to wake the user after the optimal length power nap, e.g. whenthe user has received the benefit of the nap, but is likely to wakewithout grogginess. The sleep timer 270 uses user settings data forhow/when to wake up. These user settings 240 include time window, numberof sleep cycles, actually sleeping for a certain time, wake-up alertstyle (vibration, audio, what audio, how it ramps up, etc.). The usersettings 240 can either be explicitly set by the user, auto set by thesystem based on user profile, habits, all other inputs such ascalendar/schedule, or a mixture of auto-set and explicitly set usersettings 240. Once the user settings 240 set the initial conditions, themeasured details of the sleep session may include one or more of: timeto fall asleep, sleep cycles, amount of light sleep and deep sleep,number and duration of awake events throughout the night, snoring, sleeptalking and other noises monitored by the system. The sleep timer 240uses these measured details, in conjunction with the user settings 240to wake the user at the optimal time.

In one embodiment, the default power nap time is 26.5 minutes, which isthe average optimal duration for adults. In one embodiment, the sleeptimer 270 may be adjusted based on the historical sleep data collectedfor the particular user. In one embodiment, the optimal length isadjusted based on historical sleep data from the prior seven days. Inanother embodiment, the optimal length is adjusted based on historicalsleep data from the prior month. In one embodiment, when the historicaldata extends beyond seven days, the last seven days are more heavilyweighted in determining an optimal power nap time.

In one embodiment, at the first transition to N2, the deeper sleepphase, the user is wakened. In one embodiment, this is based on thesleep timer 270. In one embodiment, this may be based on a historicalcalculation of the length of an optimal power nap for this user. Byusing a simple timer, in one embodiment, it enables the moreprocessor-intensive, and thus power-intensive, calculations ofdetermining the sleep phase based on motion to be done separately fromtiming the power nap. In one embodiment, these calculations may beshifted off the sleep alarm system and to a more powerful device such asa smart phone, computer system, or server. In another embodiment, thetiming may be determined based on the user's motion patterns, indicatingthe transition into N2.

FIG. 7 is one embodiment of a hypnogram, explaining the various statesof sleep. The first segment shows a normal short sleep cycle, with nowaking and no alarm. As can be seen, the user starts awake, then goesinto REM sleep, and then into N1, N2, and finally N3 stage of sleep.Generally, the later part of N2 and all of N3 are considered deep sleep.

The second segment shows an interrupted sleep cycle. The user graduallygoes into deep sleep, and is yanked out of deep sleep when the alarmgoes off, directly from N3 to awake. This would result in a groggywakefulness, and an overall feeling that the sleep was not restful.Lastly, a power nap is shown. The power nap allows the user to gothrough REM, and N1, but just before the user starts drifting into N2,the alarm is sounded, and the user is awakened. Because the user isawakened before going into deep sleep, the sleep will be felt to be morerefreshing and restful. Furthermore, the duration of the sleep andlength of time needed is optimally balanced for feeling rested using theminimal amount of time.

For the alarm, described above, associated with a longer sleep, such asovernight, in one embodiment, the system times the waking to be at theN1 to N2 or N2 to N1 transition. This makes the transition towakefulness smooth, and the sleep feel more restful.

Returning to FIG. 2, when the sleep timer 270 determines that it is timefor the user to wake, it sends a signal to alarm 280. In one embodiment,the user may be wakened via an alarm, which may be visual, aural, ortactile. In one embodiment, since the system can detect when the user isawake, the alarm sounds until the user is awake. This enables even aloud alarm to sound for only a short time, until the user is awake.

The data about the sleep session is then sent to sleep statistics 255.Sleep statistics 255 tracks the data associated with each sleep session,in one embodiment. In one embodiment, sleep statistics 255 optionallyalso receives user input about the quality of the sleep. Sleepstatistics 255 is used to continually optimize the length of a powernap,and the optimal length of a longer sleep, for each individual, in oneembodiment. In one embodiment, this is based on rolling analysis of thelast seven days of sleep data. In one embodiment, it is a longer period.In one embodiment, when a longer period than seven days is used, thelast seven days of sleep are more heavily weighted. In one embodiment,the sleep statistics 255 identifies the outer limit of N1 on 7 days. Thesystem then averages them and calculates a new power nap length that isoptimal for the user. This enables the system to remain in sync with theuser, even as the user's sleep patterns shift over time.

In one embodiment, after the user wakes from the sleep session, he orshe may provide feedback about the sleep session, via user interface275. The feedback may indicate that the sleep session was refreshing,that the user woke groggy, or that the user took a long time to wakebetween when the alarm sounded and when the user became active. In oneembodiment, this last evaluation, e.g. the time between when the alarmsounds and the user becomes active, may be automatically detected andused to evaluate the quality of the sleep session. In one embodiment,this is used in the historical sleep data evaluation calculated by sleepstatistics 255.

In one embodiment, movement patterns, from motion data store 225 aretaken into account by sleep statistics 255 as well. In one embodiment,the sleep statistics 255 may correlate other factors with the quality ofsleep of the user. For example, the system may correlate the user'sactivity level, or night-time sleep quality with the effectiveness of apower nap, and the timing of sleep sessions, including power naps andlonger sleep.

In one embodiment, the sleep statistics 255 may further providerecommendations to the user, based on the statistical analysis. In oneembodiment, these recommendations may be based on the sleep statisticsand/or external data. In one embodiment, sleep statistics 255 receivesother sleep information. For example, if a user has a bad night's sleepafter a late, longer power nap, the system may adjust the recommendedpower nap length or timing.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart of one embodiment of sleep alerts. The processstart at block 310.

At block 315, the system tracks user motion data. This motion data maybe used to track activity levels, eating patterns, and other aspects ofthe user's life. In one embodiment, the motion data is tracked using oneor more accelerometers. In one embodiment, the accelerometers may beintegrated into one or more devices. For example, a first accelerometermay be in a body-worn device such as a watch, bracelet, earphone, etc.,while a second accelerometer is in a mobile device such as a smartphone, tablet computer, etc.

At block 320, the system detects that the user is starting to fallasleep. The characteristic body movement patterns associated with sleepare different than those associated with being awake. In anotherembodiment, the user may indicate that he or she is falling asleepthrough a user interface.

In embodiment, the system may determine whether sleeping would be a badidea, at block 325. In one embodiment, this determination means adetermination that the user can safely sleep, at block 325. In general,certain places are not safe for sleep, for example if the user isdriving a vehicle or hiking at an elevation. In one embodiment,potential negative effects, in terms of health, sleep quality, qualityof day may also be considered in determining whether sleep would be bad.

In one embodiment, if sleep would not be good, the system may send analarm to the user, at block 330, to ensure that the user has a chance tomove to a safe area for sleep. The process then ends at block 360. Inone embodiment, the process continuously monitors the user's motion data(block 315) so the process continues to monitor even after the flowchartindicates that the process ends.

If it is safe to sleep, at block 335, the process determines whether thesleep just started is a power nap. In one embodiment, this determinationis made based on time of day, time since last full sleep, and user inputwhen available. If it is a power nap, at block 340 the system sets atimer, to wake the user up after the user's optimal power nap period.The process then continues to block 355, and the length of sleep istracked. In one embodiment, the sleep data is also stored. In oneembodiment, if user feedback is provided, it is associated with thesleep data. The sleep data may include movements during the sleep. Asnoted above, this may be added to cumulative statistics on the user'ssleep experience. The process then ends at block 360.

If the sleep is not a power nap, the process continues to block 345. Thesystem determines whether an alarm is set. As noted above, the alarm maybe set with a time range, e.g. between 6 and 7 a.m., based on a numberof sleep cycles, e.g. after three complete sleep cycles, or on acombination, e.g. after three complete sleep cycles, but no later than 7a.m.

If an alarm is set, at block 350, the min/max time and/or sleep cyclecount is set, based on the alarm setting. The system then triggers thealarm on the cycle point after the minimum time and prior to the maximumtime, after the set number of sleep cycles, or prior to the maximumtime. In one embodiment, when the min/max time is set, the system wakesthe user as close to the max time as possible, while prioritizing wakingthe user in the correct sleep cycle.

In one embodiment, when the sleep cycle count, with a latest wake timewindow, is utilized, the system attempts to time the waking at a goodtime from a sleep phase perspective, but prior to the end of the waketime window. In one embodiment, this may lead to a wake time earlierthan the end of the wake time window, without completion of the sleepcycle count.

In one embodiment, the user's sleep cycle is determined based on adefault time, as adjusted by the user's historical data, as described inconnection with the power nap above. In one embodiment, the user setsthe alarm as a minimum length of sleep, and latest alarm (e.g. after 6hours, but before 7 a.m.).

The process then continues to block 355, to store the length of sleep,and any available sleep data.

If there is no alarm, the system continues directly to block 355, totrack the length of sleep, and store the sleep data. The stored sleepdata, on power naps, sleep cycles with alarms, and sleep cycles withoutalarms is stored, and used by tracking system to determine optimal timesfor power naps. In one embodiment, the system may provide feedback aboutthis data to the user. For example, the system may indicate to the userthat when he or she takes a nap after 4:30 p.m. the night's sleep isless restful. This information may be useful to the user, in timingpowernaps.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of one embodiment of adjusting personal power napsettings. The process starts at block 410. In one embodiment, thisprocess may be run whenever a new powernap record is created. In oneembodiment, this process may be run on a server, computer system, ormobile device. In another embodiment, this process may be run on thesleep sensing device. In another embodiment, it may be run periodically,based on various periods.

At block 420, the power nap data is stored.

At block 430, the user is able to indicate a nap quality. If any suchindication is received, the user input is associated with the power naprecord. In one embodiment, the user may indicate various moods,feelings, and states throughout the day. In one embodiment, the systemmay associate such data with the record of the day. This may be usefulto track a user's overall state based on various factors includingtiming, quality, and quantity of sleep, power naps, etc.

At block 440, the process determines whether a particular power napbeing evaluated is associated with a good indication, neutralindication, or no indication. If it is not, i.e. the indication isnegative, the process at block 450 flags the nap as “bad” and adds thisinformation to the tracking. In one embodiment, after a time, the systemor the user can correlate the “bad” naps with certain events or timingsthat may have occurred. For example, the user may find that a nap toosoon after a night's sleep is bad, or a nap shortly after eating is bad,etc. If the user suggests a correlation, this information is added tothe system. If the system determines a correlation based on the data,this information is added to the system as well. The information istaken into account by the system in timing future naps. In oneembodiment, the “bad to sleep” determination, discussed above withrespect to FIG. 3, may take into account that the nap may have negativeeffects on the user's mood, ability to sleep at night, etc. If theprobability that the nap will have a negative effect is above athreshold, the user may be warned with an alarm. If the user persists,in one embodiment, the user may override the alarm, and the systempermits the user to sleep.

At block 490, the power nap settings are updated based on the additionaldata, if the additional data adds new information. In one embodiment,the power nap length is adjusted based on a seven day rolling average,or a weighted average of more days, with the last seven days moreheavily weighted. The process then ends at block 495.

If there was no indication, or a positive or neural indication asdetermined at block 440, the process continues to block 460. At block460, the process determines whether the system has information aboutmore than the threshold number of naps. In one embodiment, the systemkeeps a rolling record of X naps, or X days of naps. In one embodiment,X may be 7.

If there have been more than X naps recorded, at block 470 the new napdata is added to the rolling analysis, and the oldest data is removed.If there haven't yet been X naps recorded, the process adds that data tothe rolling analysis at block 480, but does not remove any data. In thisway, the data is continually kept fresh. People's sleeping patternschange over time, and the use of the rolling averages for analysis keepsthe system's information about the user in sync with the user's changingsleeping patterns over time.

At block 490, the power nap settings are updated, if appropriate. Asnoted above, the length of the “optimum” power nap is calculated andused by the system to set timing for waking up the user. This timing maybe updated as new power nap information is received. The process thenends at block 495. In one embodiment, a similar process, not shown, isapplicable to tracking longer sleep data as well. This analysis is usedto update settings, and update recommendations provided to the userregarding sleep sessions. In one embodiment, other features, such asalarm type used, may also be adjusted based on the feedback received.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart of one embodiment of setting alarm settings, forlonger sleep. Alarm settings, as noted above, may be based on a min/maxtime, a sleep cycle count, or a sleep cycle count in combination with awake-up window. The process starts at block 510.

At block 520, the user attempts to set an alarm. In one embodiment, theuser may be prompted to set a preferred alarm when he or she initiallyutilizes the system.

At block 525, the process determines whether the alarm the user set isbased on min-max time. Min-max time sets the earliest and latest wake-uptimes. For example, the user may indicate he or she wishes to wake upbetween 6 a.m. and 7 a.m., at the best possible sleep phase within thattime range.

If the user is setting min/max time, at block 530 the process determineswhether the time range suggested is reasonable. In general, an entiresleep cycle is 90 minutes, and of that the average sleeper spendsapproximately 45 to 65 minutes in deep sleep. Therefore, setting amin-max that is only a short time apart may not be reasonable. If thetiming is reasonable, at block 545 the alarm is set, and the processends at block 580.

If the time range was found to be unreasonable, at block 535 the user iswarned. The user can optionally override the warning, and set the alarmanyway. If that is the user's choice, as determined at block 540, thealarm is set at block 545. If the user does not override the warning,the process returns to block 520, to allow the user to set the alarm.

If, at block 525, the process determined that the alarm was not based onmin-max, the process continues to block 550. At block 550, the processdetermines whether the alarm is set based on sleep cycle count. If thealarm is not set based on sleep cycle count, at block 545, the alarm isset.

If the alarm is based on a sleep cycle count, at block 555 the processdetermines whether there is a wake-up window associated with the alarm.If there is no wake-up window, the process sets the alarm, at block 545.

If the user's alarm defined a sleep cycle count in combination with awakeup window, the process continues to block 560.

At block 560, the process compares the proposed alarm to the user'snormal schedule. In one embodiment, if schedule information is not yetavailable, this step may be skipped. The comparison is to determinewhether the proposed alarm set-up is compatible with the user'sschedule.

In one embodiment, the compatibility utilizes the current time, as wellas settings to determine whether the proposed alarm would work. Thesystem verifies that the user's preferences are realistic. For example,if the user indicates that he or she wishes to sleep for four full sleepcycles, and wake up in five hours, the system would indicate to the userthat this preference is not likely to be achieved. The average length ofa full sleep cycle is between 90 minutes and 120 minutes, for mostpeople. In one embodiment, the realism of the user's sleep cycle/wakewindow preferences is compared to a default sleep cycle. In oneembodiment, the user's own sleep cycle data is used to evaluate theuser's preference. If it is not reasonable, the system warns the user atblock 570. In one embodiment, the system may inform the user of themismatch between the user's sleep cycle length, sleep timing, and wakeup window. The user may override the warning, at block 540 to set thealarm, or may alter the settings.

In one embodiment, the reasonableness determination, at block 565,examines the user's historical patterns of sleep. If there is a mismatchbetween the alarm preferences and the actual sleep patterns of the user,the system may alert the user. For example, if a user consistently goesto bed at 2 a.m., but sets an alarm preference of four sleep cycles, anda latest waking of 7 a.m., the system may suggest that this set ofpreferences is not compatible with the known sleeping pattern of theuser. If it is not reasonable, the system warns the user, at block 570.If the timing is found to be reasonable, the process sets the alarm atblock 545, and ends at block 580.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram of a particular machine, which may be usedwith the present invention. It will be apparent to those of ordinaryskill in the art, however that other alternative systems of varioussystem architectures may also be used.

The data processing system illustrated in FIG. 8 includes a bus or otherinternal communication means 840 for communicating information, and aprocessing unit 810 coupled to the bus 840 for processing information.The processing unit 810 may be a central processing unit (CPU), adigital signal processor (DSP), or another type of processing unit 810.

The system further includes, in one embodiment, a random access memory(RAM) or other volatile storage device 820 (referred to as memory),coupled to bus 840 for storing information and instructions to beexecuted by processor 810. Main memory 820 may also be used for storingtemporary variables or other intermediate information during executionof instructions by processing unit 810.

The system also comprises in one embodiment a read only memory (ROM) 850and/or static storage device 850 coupled to bus 840 for storing staticinformation and instructions for processor 810. In one embodiment thesystem also includes a data storage device 830 such as a magnetic diskor optical disk and its corresponding disk drive, or Flash memory orother storage which is capable of storing data when no power is suppliedto the system. Data storage device 830 in one embodiment is coupled tobus 840 for storing information and instructions.

The system may further be coupled to an output device 870, such as acathode ray tube (CRT) or a liquid crystal display (LCD) coupled to bus840 through bus 860 for outputting information. The output device 870may be a visual output device, an audio output device, and/or tactileoutput device (e.g. vibrations, etc.)

An input device 875 may be coupled to the bus 860. The input device 875may be an alphanumeric input device, such as a keyboard includingalphanumeric and other keys, for enabling a user to communicateinformation and command selections to processing unit 810. An additionaluser input device 880 may further be included. One such user inputdevice 880 is cursor control device 880, such as a mouse, a trackball,stylus, cursor direction keys, or touch screen, may be coupled to bus840 through bus 860 for communicating direction information and commandselections to processing unit 810, and for controlling movement ondisplay device 870.

Another device, which may optionally be coupled to computer system 800,is a network device 885 for accessing other nodes of a distributedsystem via a network. The communication device 885 may include any of anumber of commercially available networking peripheral devices such asthose used for coupling to an Ethernet, token ring, Internet, or widearea network, personal area network, wireless network or other method ofaccessing other devices. The communication device 885 may further be anull-modem connection, or any other mechanism that provides connectivitybetween the computer system 800 and the outside world.

Note that any or all of the components of this system illustrated inFIG. 8 and associated hardware may be used in various embodiments of thepresent invention.

It will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that theparticular machine which embodies the present invention may beconfigured in various ways according to the particular implementation.The control logic or software implementing the present invention can bestored in main memory 820, mass storage device 830, or other storagemedium locally or remotely accessible to processor 810.

It will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that thesystem, method, and process described herein can be implemented assoftware stored in main memory 820 or read only memory 850 and executedby processor 810. This control logic or software may also be resident onan article of manufacture comprising a computer readable medium havingcomputer readable program code embodied therein and being readable bythe mass storage device 830 and for causing the processor 810 to operatein accordance with the methods and teachings herein.

The present invention may also be embodied in a handheld or portabledevice containing a subset of the computer hardware components describedabove. For example, the handheld device may be configured to containonly the bus 815, the processor 810, and memory 850 and/or 825.

The handheld device may be configured to include a set of buttons orinput signaling components with which a user may select from a set ofavailable options. These could be considered input device #1 875 orinput device #2 880. The handheld device may also be configured toinclude an output device 870 such as a liquid crystal display (LCD) ordisplay element matrix for displaying information to a user of thehandheld device. Conventional methods may be used to implement such ahandheld device. The implementation of the present invention for such adevice would be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art given thedisclosure of the present invention as provided herein.

The present invention may also be embodied in a special purposeappliance including a subset of the computer hardware componentsdescribed above. For example, the appliance may include a processingunit 810, a data storage device 830, a bus 840, and memory 820, and noinput/output mechanisms, or only rudimentary communications mechanisms,such as a small touch-screen that permits the user to communicate in abasic manner with the device. In general, the more special-purpose thedevice is, the fewer of the elements need be present for the device tofunction. In some devices, communications with the user may be through atouch-based screen, or similar mechanism. In one embodiment, the devicemay not provide any direct input/output signals, but may be configuredand accessed through a website or other network-based connection throughnetwork device 885.

It will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that anyconfiguration of the particular machine implemented as the computersystem may be used according to the particular implementation. Thecontrol logic or software implementing the present invention can bestored on any machine-readable medium locally or remotely accessible toprocessor 810. A machine-readable medium includes any mechanism forstoring information in a form readable by a machine (e.g. a computer).For example, a machine-readable medium includes read-only memory (ROM),random access memory (RAM), magnetic disk storage media, optical storagemedia, flash memory devices, or other storage media which may be usedfor temporary or permanent data storage. In one embodiment, the controllogic may be implemented as transmittable data, such as electrical,optical, acoustical or other forms of propagated signals (e.g. carrierwaves, infrared signals, digital signals, etc.)

In the foregoing specification, the invention has been described withreference to specific exemplary embodiments thereof. It will, however,be evident that various modifications and changes may be made theretowithout departing from the broader spirit and scope of the invention asset forth in the appended claims. The specification and drawings are,accordingly, to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictivesense.

We claim:
 1. A method for measuring sleep, the method comprising: monitoring, by a sleep monitoring device, a user's movements; determining, by the sleep monitoring device, based on the user's movements, when the user is falling asleep into a sleep session; determining, by the sleep monitoring device, based on the user's location, whether the user falling asleep would have a negative effect on the user, and when the user falling asleep would have a negative effect on the user, notifying the user to change the user's location; automatically identifying, by the sleep monitoring device, a sleep session type based on a plurality of the user's location, time since a last longer sleep, and time of day, the sleep session type defined as one of a power nap or a longer sleep, wherein the power nap consists of a portion of a sleep cycle, wherein a length of the power nap is based on a plurality of settings associated with the power nap; when the user falling asleep does not have a negative effect on the user, allowing the user to fall asleep and waking up, by the sleep monitoring device, the user with an alarm at a predetermined time, based on a combination of the sleep session type, user preferences, and measured information regarding the sleep session such that the user is in a light sleep stage when the alarm wakes the user; and when the sleep session type is a power nap, adjusting, by the sleep monitoring device, the plurality of settings associated with the power nap based on the measured information regarding the sleep session.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the user preferences are automatically determined based on calendar information for the user.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the identifying further comprises a command made using one of: a user interface dial, a user interface button, or a menu.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the monitoring comprises an accelerometer, wherein the accelerometer is worn on a wrist strap.
 5. The method of claim 4, wherein the wrist strap comprises a wristband, and the accelerometer is part of a monitoring device coupled to the wristband.
 6. The method of claim 4, wherein the wrist strap includes an integral monitoring device, and further includes an integral connector through which the monitoring device may be coupled to a computing device.
 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the alarm comprises one or more of: an increasingly louder sound and an increasingly stronger vibration.
 8. The method of claim 1, further comprising: providing the user's movement data to a server; and making the user's movement data available to the user.
 9. The method of claim 1, wherein the pre-determined time is based on a default optimum time for a power nap, adjusted based on historical data from the user.
 10. The method of claim 1, further comprising: when a longer sleep is identified, determining whether there is an alarm set, the alarm set based on one of: a min/max time, a number of sleep cycles completed, or a number of sleep cycles completed within a max time window.
 11. The method of claim 10, wherein when the alarm is set based on the min/max time, the user is woken up at an optimal sleep cycle time, at a latest point in the min/max time.
 12. The method of claim 10, wherein when the alarm is set based on the number of sleep cycles and a maximum time window, waking up the user with the alarm comprises waking the user at an optimal time, when the maximum time window will expire prior to the completion of the number of sleep cycles set in the alarm.
 13. A method for measuring sleep, the method comprising: monitoring, by a sleep monitoring device, a user's movements using an accelerometer in close proximity to the user; determining, by the sleep monitoring device, when the user is falling asleep into a sleep session based on the user's movements; determining, by the sleep monitoring device, based on the user's location, whether the user falling asleep would have a negative effect on the user, and when the user falling asleep would have a negative effect on the user, notifying the user to change the user's location; automatically identifying, by the sleep monitoring device, a sleep session type of the sleep session as a power nap or a longer sleep, wherein the power nap consists of a portion of a sleep cycle, based on a combination of a current time of day, a time since a last longer sleep, and a location of the user, wherein a length of the power nap is based on a plurality of settings associated with the power nap; when the user falling asleep does not have a negative effect on the user, allowing the user to fall asleep and waking up, by the sleep monitoring device, the user at a predetermined time, based on a combination of the current time of day, the time since the last longer sleep, the location of the user, user preferences, the sleep session type, and measured information regarding the sleep session, such that: when the sleep session is identified as a power nap, the waking of the user is prior to a start of a deep sleep segment of a first sleep cycle and the plurality of settings associated with the power nap are adjusted based on the measured information regarding the sleep session; when the sleep session is identified as a longer sleep, the waking of the user during a light sleep segment, after a plurality of sleep cycles.
 14. The method of claim 13, wherein the identifying is based on a command entered by the user using one of: a user interface dial, a user interface button, or a menu.
 15. The method of claim 13, wherein the accelerometer is in a wristband, and the wristband comprises one of: an accelerometer and computing device coupled to the wristband; and an integral accelerometer, and an integral connector through which the monitoring device may be coupled to a computing device.
 16. The method of claim 15, wherein the computing device comprises a mobile phone device.
 17. The method of claim 13, wherein the alarm comprises one or more of: an increasingly louder sound and an increasingly stronger vibration.
 18. The method of claim 13, further comprising: providing the user's movement data to a server, the server providing processing of the movement data; and displaying the user's movement data to the user on an associated device.
 19. The method of claim 13, wherein when the sleep session is identified as the powernap, the pre-determined time is based on a default optimum time adjusted based on historical data from the user.
 20. An apparatus to measure a user's sleep comprising: an accelerometer to monitor a user's movements; a processor configured to: determine when the user is falling asleep into a sleep session based on the user's movements; determine, based on the user's location, whether the user falling asleep would have a negative effect on the user, and when the user falling asleep would have a negative effect on the user, notifying the user to change the user's location; identify the sleep session as a power nap or a longer sleep, wherein the longer sleep comprises an overnight sleep period and a power nap consists of a portion of a sleep cycle, the identification being based on a current time of day, a time since a last longer sleep, and a location of the user, wherein a length of the power nap is based on a plurality of settings associated with the power nap; when the user falling asleep does not have a negative effect on the user, determine a time to wake up the user, based on a combination of the current time of day, the time since a last longer sleep, the location of the user, user preferences, and measured information regarding the sleep session, such that: when the sleep session is identified as a power nap, the waking of the user is prior to a start of a deep sleep segment of a first sleep cycle; when the sleep session is identified as an overnight sleep, the waking of the user during a light sleep segment, after a plurality of sleep cycles; and when the sleep session type is identified as a power nap, adjust the plurality of settings associated with the power nap based on the measured information regarding the sleep session and adjust the length of the power nap based on the measured information regarding the sleep session and/or the adjusted plurality of settings associated with the power nap; and an alarm to wake up the user at the time determined by the processor.
 21. The apparatus of claim 20, further comprising: a memory to store the user's movements; and a display to show a sleep pattern to the user, based on the user's movements, the sleep pattern showing periods of wakefulness, light sleep, and deep sleep. 